You can now search our library online!   Please download and complete the 7th grade sleepover code of conduct prior to the sleepover on January 6.

 

December 2011/5772 Dear WHC Religious School Families,   Last week we gathered at our Thanksgiving tables, and offered gratitude for the blessings in our lives. The days of the year are getting darker and colder, and it seems, shorter. Indeed, the darkness of winter can provide us with an opportunity to seek out the lights in our lives. That which illuminates in life, the blessings of love, good health and serenity are recognized during Thanksgiving -

the time Americans dedicate to giving thanks for these things. And from that day onward, it is incumbent upon us to continue to show appreciation. When we gather to light the Hanukkah chanukiyah (menorah used for Hannukah), let the light of the candles illuminate our darkened world.

 

My heroine, Hannah Senesh, was a young Jewish woman who trained as a paratrooper and parachuted into Nazi occupied Hungary to help save the Jews. Tragically, she was captured and executed by the Nazis at the age of 23. In her last poem, called "Ashre Hagafrur" or "Blessed is the Match," she writes:

 

Blessed is the match consumed in kindling flame.

Blessed is the flame that burns in the secret fastness of the heart.

Blessed is the heart with strength to stop its beating for honor's sake.

Blessed is the match consumed in kindling flame.

 

May each of us during this holiday season create sacred moments that illuminate our world. May the warmth of love, the light of joy and the glow of our Hanukkah menorahs bring peace to our world.

 

May each of us be blessed with the lights of Hanukkah, and may it be a season of gladness and goodness, of peace and serenity.

Rabbi Joui Hessel, RJE

Rabbi and Director of Religious Education and Engagement

 

Upcoming Events

 

	January, 2012
January 3	Classes resume
	NO Upper School or Confirmation
January 6-7	7th Grade Sleepover	Temple
January 6	Clash of Classes	Temple
January 7	Clash of Classes	JBSC
January 8	Tzedakah Read-a-Thon/Children of the Book begins
	K-1 Family Religious School	Temple
	K-2 Tefillah	Temple
	3rd Grade Family Religious School	JBSC
	Chagigah begins	Temple and JBSC
	NO 7th GRADE CLASSES
January 10	NO UPPER SCHOOL OR CONFIRMATION
	Oral Assessments	JBSC
January 11	Oral Assessments	Temple
January 15	MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY:  NO CLASSES
January 17	Tefillah	JBSC
	NO UPPER SCHOOL OR CONFIRMATION
January 18	Tefillah	Temple
	Oral Assessments	Temple
January 20	2nd Grade Religious School Shabbat	JBSC
January 22	Pre-K Gan Program	Temple
	3rd Grade "checkups"	Temple and JBSC
	5th Grade Life Cycle Rehearsal	JBSC
	7th Grade trip to the Ratner Museum	off site
	4th Grade Retreat Day	JBSC
	Chagigah	Temple and JBSC
January 24	Oral Assessments	JBSC
	NO UPPER SCHOOL OR CONFIRMATION
January 25	Oral Assessments	Temple
January 27-29	Confirmation Retreat	off site
January 27	2nd Grade Religious School Shabbat	Temple
January 29	5th Grade Life Cycle	JBSC
	5th Grade Life Cycle Rehearsal	Temple
	3rd grade "checkups"	Temple and JBSC
	Chagigah	Temple and JBSC
January 31	Oral Assessments	JBSC
	9th Grade classes begin
	NO CONFIRMATION